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One of ANGAIR’s most important tasks is encouraging a love and understanding of indigenous plants among young people, the environment’s future champions.

Last month, two primary school groups from the Northern Bay College in Corio and Geelong Grammar’s Bostock House adopted ANGAIR and the Friends of the Eastern Otways for their environmental projects.

The Northern Bay Year 6 kids were participating in Victoria’s Kids Thrive program, a community development organisation. Their task was to choose an area of interest, research it, write a grant application and budget and then pitch their ideas to an adult panel. Two groups chose ANGAIR and Friends of the Eastern Otways as their targets.

Four children visited ANGAIR to learn about us and all our activities. They decided to apply for a grant for two loppers so the Monday weeders could get stuck into Bluebell Creeper which were delivered late last month. Another four children visited the Friends to learn about the district’s indigenous plants and animals.

The four Year 4 kids from Bostock House were part of the school’s Go Go Green Fingers program that raises money for environment groups. ANGAIR member John Wade briefed them on ANGAIR’s work and the children raised a $174 donation. They’ll visit us later in the year.

John Wade and Bostock House students

ANGAIR benefited materially from the children’s efforts but the greatest gift for us was their shining enthusiasm and their commitment to doing something positive for the environment.